Yeah, the M’s could use this guy in left field …

Nothing against the duo of Milton Bradley and Eric Byrnes in left field, but if you’re a Seattle Mariners fan it’s hard not to get a case of the “what ifs” while seeing what Shin-Soo Choo is doing in Cleveland as he hits his prime.

Shin-Soo Choo watches his grand slam fly off the bat Sunday for Cleveland as he continued a scorching start for the Indians. (AP Photo/Tony Dejak)

Choo, 27, was traded by former GM Bill Bavasi in July of 2006 for Ben Broussard in an attempt to add some designated-hitter punch for the M’s.

At the time, Choo was a promising youngster from South Korea deemed expendable because the Mariners had Adam Jones ahead of him in their prospect list.

Of course, Jones later was dealt to the Orioles and Choo is now exploding in Cleveland as one of the best unsung players in the game.

After a slow first week, Choo has hit .545 (12 for 22) in the last seven games with all his RBIs and home runs coming in that span.

Indians manager Manny Acta called Choo “a one-man wrecking crew” after Sunday’s win, the fourth in a row for Cleveland.

This isn’t just some hot week for the youngster, either. He was the only player in the American League last year to combine a .300 average with 20 home runs and 20 stolen bases and he appears ready to take another step forward this season.

“He’s a legit five-tool player,” said Acta. “Those words are thrown around a lot. But this guy is a legit five-tool player. This guy can hit, hit for average, hit for power, he can run and he can flat-out throw.

“His work ethic is tremendous. He’s a great teammate. It’s delightful to be around him. We’re blessed to have a guy like him.”

And, yeah, he would have fit quite nicely into a Mariners’ outfield alongside Ichiro and Franklin Gutierrez, not to mention in Seattle’s lineup as a lefty with the speed and power to shine in Safeco Field.

As for Broussard? Bavasi and manager Mike Hargrove traded for him on the same day they released Carl Everett in 2006, looking for some left-handed pop at DH for a team that wound up fourth in the AL West at 78-84.

Broussard played 155 games for Seattle in 2006-07, hitting 15 home runs and 46 RBIs before being traded to Texas for Tug Hulett prior to the 2008 season.